risks. This is a dialectic rather than a monologue—an
egalitarian group process rather than a hierarchical
one.
- Listen. We each get what we need from the group
process by sharing our own material and by listening
to others. We do not need to comment on another
person’s sharing in order to help that person. We
must refrain from trying to “fix” someone else. Each
group devises a cooperative creative “song” of
artistic recovery. Each group’s song is unique to that
group—like that of a pod or family of whales,
initiating and echoing to establish their position.
When listening, go around the circle without
commenting unduly on what is heard. The circle, as
a shape, is very important. We are intended to
witness, not control, one another. When sharing
exercises, clusters of four within the larger groups
are important: five tends to become unwieldy in
terms of time constraints; three doesn’t allow for
enough contrasting experience. Obviously, not all
groups can be divided into equal fours. Just try to do
so whenever you can.
- Respect One Another. Be certain that respect and
compassion are afforded equally to every member.
Each person must be able to speak his own wounds
and dreams. No one is to be “fixed” by another
member of the group. This is a deep and powerful
internal process. There is no one right way to do this.
